Mark Long, Author at Athol Daily News

Chris Buescher (17), Daniel Suarez (99), Denny Hamlin (11), Justin Haley (31), Ty Dillon (42), Aric Almirola (10) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (47) are involved in a multi-car accident between turns 1 and 2 during a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Daytona International Speedway, Sunday, Aug. 28, 2022, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Dow Graham)

Dillon, Blaney nab last playoff spots at rain-soaked Daytona

by Mark Long Associated PressAugust 28, 2022August 28, 2022

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Austin Dillon avoided a massive wreck in the rain to win at Daytona International Speedway and snag a playoff spot in the Cup Series’ regular-season finale Sunday.Dillon passed Austin Cindric for the lead with three laps to go…

FILE - Former Jacksonville Jaguars player Tony Boselli is honored on the field during halftime of an NFL football game against the New Orleans Saints Sunday, Oct. 13, 2019, in Jacksonville, Fla. Boselli will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday, Aug. 6, 2022. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

Boselli carries memories of late father into Hall of Fame

by Mark Long Associated PressJuly 31, 2022July 31, 2022

FILE - Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Urban Meyer stands on the field before an NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021, in Inglewood, Calif. Urban Meyer's tumultuous NFL tenure ended after just 13 games — and two victories — when the Jacksonville Jaguars fired him early Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021 because of an accumulation of missteps. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong , File)

Jaguars fire Urban Meyer after 13 games, countless missteps

by Mark Long Associated PressDecember 16, 2021December 16, 2021

Jacksonville Jaguars tight end Tim Tebow makes a reception during a drill at NFL football practice, Saturday, July 31, 2021, in Jacksonville, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Tim Tebow’s comeback story ends with Jaguars cutting him

by Mark Long Associated PressAugust 17, 2021August 17, 2021

FILE - In this Nov. 1, 2008, file photo, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow, left, and coach Urban Meyer celebrate in the fourth quarter during an NCAA college football game against Georgia in Jacksonville, Fla. Tebow and Meyer are together again, this time in the NFL and with Tebow playing a new position. The former Florida star and 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback signed a one-year contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Thursday, May 20, 2021, and will attempt to revive his...

Reunited: Tim Tebow signs with Jaguars, rejoins Urban Meyer as tight end

by Mark Long Associated PressMay 20, 2021May 20, 2021

FILE - Former Florida football player Tim Tebow speaks to fans after he was inducted in the Ring of Honor at Florida Field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against LSU in Gainesville, Fla., in this Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018, file photo. Tebow and Urban Meyer are apparently getting back together, this time in the NFL. The former Florida star and 2007 Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback is expected to team up with his college coach by signing a one-year contract to...

Report: Tim Tebow-Urban Meyer reunion on verge of becoming official

by Mark Long Associated PressMay 10, 2021May 10, 2021

FILE - In this Feb. 13, 1997, file photo, the checkered flag in Victory Lane reflects in the sunglasses of Dale Earnhardt,, after he won his eighth consecutive 125-mile qualifying auto race for the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla. On the cusp of a national popularity explosion, NASCAR never stopped after the deaths of Adam Petty, Kenny Irwin Jr. and Tony Roper. But losing Earnhardt forced the stock car series to confront safety issues it had...

Lasting legacy: Dale Earnhardt’s death saved lives, forced change

by Jenna Fryer Associated Press, Dan Gelston Associated Press, and Mark Long Associated PressFebruary 11, 2021February 11, 2021

FILE - Ohio State NCAA college football head coach Urban Meyer answers questions during a news conference announcing his retirement in Columbus, Ohio, in this Tuesday, Dec. 4, 2018, file photo. A person familiar with the search says Urban Meyer and the Jacksonville Jaguars are working toward finalizing a deal to make him the team's next head coach. The person spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity Thursday, Jan. 14, 2021, because a formal agreement was not yet...

AP source: Urban Meyer near deal with Jaguars in coaching return

by Mark Long Associated PressJanuary 14, 2021

FILE - In this Oct. 3, 2020, file photo, Florida head coach Dan Mullen yells to a referee about a call during an NCAA college football game against South Carolina in Gainesville, Fla. Mullen was given several more chances Monday, Oct. 12, 2020, to walk back bizarre comments about wanting to pack 90,000 screaming fans inside Florida Field during the coronavirus pandemic. He declined each of them, brushing aside criticism and insisting he's focused on defending national champion LSU....

SEC postpones LSU-Florida game as Gators deal with outbreak

by Mark Long Associated PressOctober 14, 2020

Jacksonville Jaguars starting quarterback Gardner Minshew II, left, hands the ball off to running back Leonard Fournette during NFL football training camp, Saturday, Aug. 29, 2020, in Jacksonville, Fla. (Bob Self/The Florida Times-Union via AP)

NFL stunner: Jacksonville Jaguars waive Leonard Fournette after failing to trade him

by Mark Long Associated PressAugust 31, 2020